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CPAP
Side Effects That Might Bother You

CPAP side effects
can be frustrating at times but are worth
tolerating, as they are outweighed by the benefits. CPAP stands for
continuous positive airway pressure and is a medical practice
prescribed as a treatment for people with sleep apnea.

The
ventilator machine works to keep the airway open by using mild air pressure.
Using this method at home is one of the most trusted and successful
forms of treatment for obstructive
sleep apnea (OSA). Patients suffering from OSA have
trouble sleeping at night, as the airway becomes blocked.

CPAP
ensures that the airway is kept clear and prevents it from collapsing.
The negative points associated with using the machines are not seriously detrimental
to one's health but can be more annoying than anything else.

One
of the most common CPAP side effects is to be allergic to the mask,
which can result in skin being irritated. There are many different
types of sleep
apnea masks available so users should not feel they need to
tolerate any discomfort. They come in various sizes and can be made
using different materials also.

If
you find that you've had problems with numerous mask types, consider
trying one that has less
straps and contact with your face. A specialist should be
able to recommend one for you, if you cannot find a suitable one to
purchase yourself.

Some
people may experience symptoms
similar to a common cold or allergy when using continuous
positive airway pressure. Having a runny nose, bleeding from the nose
and congestion can occur as a result of the pressure applied through
the mask.

However,
this does not happen as much with machines that have
a heated CPAP
humidifier so this could be an option to relieve the problems
being experienced.

If
a mask is leaking, this can cause a dry
mouth as the air may be moving through the mouth instead
of the nose. This will again feel similar to having a common cold, or
having a blocked nose for a different reason.

Most people will
experience a dry mouth
when they have a cold because their nose is congested so they will have
to breathe through the mouth during sleep. If this is happening when
using the CPAP machine, you may need a new or different mask.

One
of the more unusual CPAP side effects is to experience uncomfortable sensations in your
stomach. This can be very irritating and may prevent
healthy sleep due to tossing and turning. The problem only usually
happens if the air
pressure setting needs to be amended on the machine. A
specialist will be able to help fix this is you are unsure how to do it
yourself.

A
widespread complaint with the equipment is in reference to the noise the machine makes,
even though this issue has improved greatly over the years. The sound
has been engineered to be soft and easy to ignore. However,
some people find it hard to sleep with
any sort of noise in their bedroom, even if it is dull and
rhythmic. If the sound really is unbearable, there is a chance that the
machine is not working correctly and needs to be looked at.

One
of the most common CPAP side effects occurs when there is a problem
with air pressure. This can be scary if it occurs during a cycle and
when you are asleep.

A
change in air pressure can result in a person
finding it difficult to
exhale and feel almost like they are suffocating. This is
not the case of course, but problems and sensations are usually
magnified when sleeping, as the mind is not alert enough to process
what is happening and make an informed decision.

CPAP
Side Effects Are Overshadowed By Its Benefits

More
often than not, the benefits of CPAP outweigh any negative points.
In
most cases when sleep apnea has been diagnosed and oral appliances have
not proved beneficial, continuous positive airway pressure will be used
as a treatment. It is a pain free approach to take and can work
immediately to help those who have problems with their upper airway
being blocked while sleeping.

Improved
sleep will increase
daytime alertness and concentration. This is one of
the benefits of CPAP that will be apparent quite quickly. If your
nights are no longer being disturbed by constant waking, you can wake
up feeling fresher and ready for the day. Feeling rested will
have a very big impact
on overall happiness and many people claim they
feel like a brand new person.

One
of the physical benefits of CPAP is what it will do to your overall
health. Treating apnea at an early stage can reduce the risk of a stroke
and other sleep
apnea heart related problems. Sleep apnea puts pressure on
breathing, which then
forces the heart to work harder than it should be during the night.
Insulin
sensitivity can also be improved when using CPAP and your
risk
of having type 2 diabetes is increased if sleep apnea is left untreated.

As
a result of improved sleep, a person using continuous positive airway
pressure should feel
less stressed and their emotional stability may be
more balanced. Sleep disorders can leave a person feeling short
tempered and moody, which is frustrating as it is a constant reminder
of tiredness.

Last
but not least, saving
money is one of the more important benefits of CPAP.
Prices of machines vary but are
definitely cheaper than the result of leaving sleep apnea
untreated.

Putting
the body under long term and unnecessary stress will lead to
more serious medical conditions, which can put a massive strain on the
bank balance. As with all medical conditions, sleep apnea is easier and
cheaper to
treat in its early stages.